Goizueta Gardens staff collaborated on an exciting conservation effort this past spring as members of the Georgia Plant Conservation Alliance. The Georgia Department of Natural Resources had identified a roadside site slated for development in the metro area where a population of pink lady’s slipper orchid, Cypripedium acaule, and other native woodland species were growing.
Our staff received permits to relocate some of the wild orchids to our gardens to preserve these rare plants. Pink lady slippers are distinguished by a pair of bright green pleated leaves that hug the ground. In spring, a 12” tall stem bears an unusual flower resembling an inflated pouch.
We hope the rescued orchids will thrive as much as this closely related species within the Quarry Garden – small yellow lady’s slipper, Cypripedium parviflorum var. parviflorum. It has the same floral shape but vibrant yellow and rust colored blooms.
Cypripedium acaule is often found living in dry, acidic woodland soils, especially sandy pine-dominated forests. Its wide native range spans from Newfoundland to the Southeastern US. The plant is often noted for its unique pollination mechanism: insects enter the enclosed flower structure, but find no nectar there, and are forced to exit at the top of the flower where they brush past pollen.
Transplanting this orchid can be difficult, as it depends on very specific mycorrhizal fungal relationships, but we hope to see blooms in the Quarry Garden and Swan Woods this April! Thanks to our volunteers in the Mimosa Garden Club who helped plant them out in the Quarry Garden.
Note: Do not collect wild plants such as Cypripedium acaule without a permit.